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Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC
A Colorado Limited Liability Company and Licensed Private Investigators
www.Forensic-Investigators.com ~ (970) 480-7793
Quaero Indicium -'To Find the Evidence'
Please distribute to others that may have an interest
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Dear (Contact First Name),
Every November is a Time for Thanks. For some, this year is more so. Please join us in supporting the victims and responders to the areas now devastated buy Super Storm Sandy. We most often think first of victims, and we should, followed by first responders. Don't forget about volunteers - such as neighbors and churches, Red Cross and Salvation Army. Remember the first responders include not just fire and police, but ambulance and paramedic services. Entire hospitals and elder care facilities had to be evacuated. States and local governments have sent various professions - from water and electric, to medical and law enforcement aid. To these, and many many more, we give our personal thanks.
To the victims, survivors, families and citizens of those areas, we pledge our support. We are also asking you to do the same. There are many ways to donate and give support, a personal choice, and every choice counts. See below for how you can both help and benefit!
From August 28th to October 28th we were on the Beers Team Noun Tour - Maiden Voyage 2012. We saw people, places and things - 26 states! From family and friends, to colleagues and history ... wow. We also saw the areas devastated by both 9/11 and Sandy, battle fields buildings that shaped our American history. Many great memories were had and we want to thank those that showed us the sites and opened their homes (and driveways) to us and our new RV lifestyle.
One of the concluding events of the tour was the annual conference of the Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado (PPIAC). This is Dean's last conference as the Board Chairman and board member. Each year there are elections for approximately 1/2 the board positions. This year, along with PPIAC President Robert Orozco, they are handing the leadership reigns of the board and association to new leaders. PPIAC has made a great deal of progress in the past few years and this momentum will continue.
At the conference President Orozco made a special announcement. Each year, the president can choose to give the PPIAC Life Membership Award to one person. This has not been done since 2008. This year Dean was honored as the recipient of that award. The award comes with the word and support of the board and membership, with much appreciation.
With greatest appreciation, Dean dedicates this award, along with his NCISS Vinson Award, to his wife, and business partner - Karen - without whom nothing would be possible and everything is. Details of this award are at http://www.forensic-investigators.com/1/post/2012/10/ppiac-life-member-awarded-presented-to-dean-beers.html
 
Finally, November carries a tradition of 'Black Friday' and that weekend we have a special weekend of 1/2 price on our self-published "Professional Investigations" book series. This year, we will do the same - for the full month of November. In addition, we are donating the balance of the net profits to relief and recovery efforts for Super Storm Sandy. We will announce the totals in December.
"Professional Locate Investigations, Backgrounds and Assets & Liabilities" is at www.ProfessionalLocateInvestigations.com and after completing a confidential account registration and purchase, use the coupon code JV24E at checkout to receive the 50% discount.
"Best of AFI-LLC 2011" is at http://best2011.forensic-investigators.com and use coupon code TP96X at checkout to receive the 50% discount.
"Ethical Considerations for the Professional Investigator" is always free at http://ethics.forensic-investigators.com.
IN THIS ISSUE Last month was pretty unusual, with conferences, legislative issues, and useful tips for everyone. This month its a bit slower.
-- Tips for Traveling PIs
-- Teaching - POST continuing education for Wyoming Coroners Association
-- AFI-LLC approved as consulting experts by Maricopa County (AZ) Office of Public Defense Services
-- Dean's book is reviewed for ASIS by Gene Ferraro
-- Evidence Technology Magazine - available online
-- Presentation materials for NLADA available online
-- MUCH More!!
AFI-LLC - Our agency is called upon for many reasons - from investigations to consultations, and from finding the right investigator to the right expert. We have recently added to our case examples found at http://www.forensic-investigators.com/sample-cases.html. |
Bits and Pieces
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HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE YOUR MOBILE OFFICE INVESTIGATIONS AND ACTIVITIES?
In September we noted that beginning in 1994, Dean learned the technologies and developed methods to remove the ties of a traditional office. With the Beers Team Noun Tour complete, its time to share some experiences in removing yourself from the traditional office or working in the field. Each month we will share 2-3 ideas in specific categories - from communication to productivity; and links to find our suggestions. This month we look at two - power and communication.
RV life is a bit different, and takes some getting used to. You might have source power, or generator power. But, when on the move, or unable to use 110 power - what do you do?
-- Power sources include converting 12w battery power to 110w (actually inverting)? Every investigator that is in the field or traveling needs this. From running your PC, to charging tablets and equipment - power is needed. How much depends on what you will run. We recommend at least two outlets and a USB port for charging phones. 750w to 1500w will take care of your needs and we liked the PowerDrive 1500.
We all need Internet! Smartphones are a must in today's professional and investigative world, but it's not enough. Mobile Internet is more difficult, and like power sources, you might have source Internet, and often free. But, free is like most things - you do get what you pay for.
-- Internet options include satellite to cell phone. We can't imagine our PI colleagues mounting a satellite to their vehicle - especially those involved in surveillance. You can use a cell service mobile hotspot, at about $50-$75 per month. We found AutoNet Mobile - using cellular services for as low as $30/mth! We had 95% coverage over 7K miles in 26 states. But, we like redundancy (part of the reason for constant mobile power). Many cell phone plans will allow adding a mobile hotspot data plan for $30. This is a good backup, and is also a good idea if more than one person is using the data (such as our agency). The mobile services allow access to cloud storage and even wireless peripherals - such as printers and scanners. The AutoNet is fully portable (using a hardwired cigarette lighter adapter) and your phone as a hotspot is handy at hotels, conferences and places you cannot get or have to pay for wi-fi.
Finally, communication. Email, phone and faxing, and document storage are all part of communication. We'll cover storage next month. For email, we simply suggest a web-based solution. Many clients, and some colleagues, use interoffice solutions - such as Outlook or Outlook Express. Although there are mobile solutions, there can be some difficulty for the novice to setup. Web-based is simple, available on every device from any place with access and free. Phone and fax services are different.
-- Phone and fax should be one solution, not two or three different solutions for one problem. We found Ring Central. The service requires no equipment and is user friendly. Extensions are available and can be programmed to follow to designated mobile or landline numbers of your choosing. Voicemail is available online and delivered to your email. Applications also allow for calling from your office number. Faxes are sent and received from your email! Just scan or save the document (Word or PDF) and send as a fax attachment or using the print to fax function. You can choose from toll-free or local phone numbers from every major city, and have separate voice and fax numbers, or one unified number. We have the unlimited service for under $40 per month.
Watch our blog at www.MedicolegalPI.com for our mobile PI and travel tips. For more information about what we use for our mobile needs, we feature these at http://amazon.PrivateInvestigations.org under 'Handy Gadgets'.
About Dean and Karen:
Dean and Karen are full-time RV Investigators (Team Beers) with their office based in Colorado.
Dean is a subject matter expert in the areas of death investigation and personal injury causation. He is the only Board Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) in northern Colorado, a faculty consultant and Certified Criminal Defense Investigator (CCDI) and is also a certified Medicolegal Death Investigator. He continues to speak extensively on investigative techniques and principles and has authored multiple peer-reviewed white papers, and self-published "Professional Investigations: Individual Locates, Backgrounds and Assets & Liabilities" and recently published "Practical Methods for Legal Investigations" (CRC Press) He currently consults nationwide as an expert in criminal defense homicide and civil equivocal death investigations.
Karen has been a Legal Investigator and research specialist, since 1996. She has a Bachelor's in Social Work from Colorado State University (Magna Cum Laude) and in 2011 earned the designation Certified Criminal Defense Investigator (CCDI). Together they operate Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC. In addition to her skilled interactions with troubled youths, she trained and worked as a Deputy Coroner at the Larimer County Medical Examiner's Office. This background provides essential skills and knowledge in their Personal Injury, Negligence and Death investigations and consultations in Colorado and nationally. In addition, she has written for prominent professional investigation journals and was instrumental in the revisions and contributions to both agency books, as well as the co-development of "Death Investigations for Private Investigators" for PIEducation.com
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Our Expert Forensic Affiliations
|  We believe that medicolegal investigation and consultation is a team effort. Stephen Cina MD, Harold Schueler PhD, and our agency are affiliated as experts in our respective fields offering our clients comprehensive medicolegal services.
Dr. Cina is the Chief Medical Examiner of a large metropolitan area in the upper mid-west, and Dr. Schueler is the forensic toxicologist at a south Florida medical examiner's office. Contact our office to consult on medicolegal death and injury causation. The CVs of both Dr. Cina and Dr. Schueler are available by contacting us.
Dr. Cina is also the co-author of the non-fiction historical look at "When Doctors Kill" available at http://whendoctorskill.forensic-investigators.com
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Agency News and Updates
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We have expanded www.PrivateInvestigations.org to include not only email and subdomains, but books and resources for investigations and business operations. |
Associations and News of Our Profession
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New board members will be announced next month.
National Association of Legal Investigators (www.NALI.com)
Mark your calendars for a special event - celebrate Valentine's Day in Memphis with NALI! This will be Feb 14-16, 2013 - Memphis, Tennessee at The Peabody (and their famous ducks). The topics and speakers - including about The Memphis Three - will be exceptional.
http://nali.com/conference-mid-winter-memphis2.php
Also, the Certified Legal Investigator examinations are given only at the conferences. If interested, please review the details at http://www.nali.com/cli.php and give yourself plenty of time to prepare.
The current issue of NALI's official journal - The Legal Investigator - is now available online at http://www.bluetoad.com/publication?m=14458&l=1.
National Council of Investigation and Security Services (www.NCISS.org)NCISS keeps a list of various association events at http://www.nciss.org/news-and-events/latest-events.php. This includes information about the 2013 Hit the Hill and SAAB (State Association Advisory Board) leadership training April 15-17.
Members of NCISS receive a copy of the twice-yearly published 'The Report' in the mail. This is also posted online, feel free to share this valuable information about our profession and legislative issues with your colleagues and clients. http://www.nciss.org/documents/The_Report_Fall_2012.pdf. Bi-monthly is the eReport direct to your email and the current issue, Looking to 2013, is at http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs179/1102296473151/archive/1111261089615.html.NCISS wants to share this great savings with you - super discounts at Office Depot for supplies at http://nciss.ctcshares.com. World Association of Detectives ( www.WAD.net)
New WAD President Fernando Molina has moved Dean from US Ambassador (West) to Governor of the Americas (US, Canada, Central America, Caribbean and Argentina). Dean has selected Thomas Shamshak (MA) and Michael Julian (CA) as North America Ambassadors and have received their appointments from president Molina.
The latest issue of WAD's magazine, Beyond Global, is pending availability online. You can view the past issues at the WAD association site. Be sure to check for the current issue soon.
Other Association News
No additional news this month. If your association has news, please send it to us for inclusion.
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In the News
|  News happens so fast, please visit our agency blog for daily and weekly posts on news of interest - www.MedicolegalPI.com or our business Facebook page at www.facebook.com/4N6Associates
WHEN SHOULD YOU CONSULT WITH A PI? Aaron Weese, PI
When you are an attorney or private citizen, when should you consult a PI? Always - let the PI be the guide on if their services are needed. When should you, as a PI be hired? As Aaron pointed out - it depends, but you won't know if you don't consult one. See his two-part blog at http://truthprivatei.com/blog
WYOMING CORONERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL TRAINING Wyoming requires all of the coroners and deputy coroners to receive 20 hours of POST approved continuing education. Dean has given of his time the last three years, and was joined last year by Maury Miller, and this year will be joined by Karen. This year will be presented crime scenes, blunt force trauma, inhalant overdoses and medical records - all put together with multiple case presentations that reveal the importance of the death investigator and continuing education. DEATH INVESTIGATION - NLADA FILES ONLINE In late October Dean made a quick trip to St. Louis for the National Legal Aid & Defender Association conference. He joined attorneys and investigators involved in capital cases to give a popular presentation on the importance of consulting with certified Medicolegal Death Investigators in cases of serious bodily injury and homicide. AFI-LLC is making this presentation and accompanying files available for FREE at AFI-LLC APPROVED BY MARICOPA COUNTY (AZ) AFI-LLC provides expert consultations of serious bodily injury and death causation nationally. Maricopa County (AZ) has placed AFI-LLC on the list of approved experts for court appointed cases. To date our agency has been involved in three capital cases from AZ. EVIDENCE TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE - ONLINE Evidence Technology Magazine is an informative magazine for private and public sector criminalists, related experts and investigators. It is free by mail and online at Book Review of 'Practical Methods for Legal Investigators' by Gene Ferraro
Friend, colleague and fellow author at CRC Press, Gene has written a concise review of Dean's book for the prestigious Security Management magazine of ASIS. This review is at http://www.forensic-investigators.com/1/post/2012/10/book-review-by-eugene-ferraro-of-practical-methods-for-legal-investigations.html
Do you have a book to be reviewed or special announcement? Let us know!
If you want to send a complimentary copy, we will gladly review it for you and also provide a customized press release and distribution.
NEW - CRC Press Author Profiles! Check out the new Featured Author profile for Dean at CRC Press! http://www.crcpress.com/authors/i140-dean-a-beers-cli-ccdi
Scott Harrell's complete review for Pursuit Magazine
Burt Hodge's complete review for Florida Association of Licensed InvestigatorsBob Wall's complete review for Professional Private Investigators Association of CO Don Johnson's complete review for PI Magazine Jennifer Brown, CLI, JD, is the Editor for the quarterly newsletter of the Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado, writes "Awesome book, Dean. Should be required reading for investigators. It's helped me clean up some of my procedures." |
| The Quint-Essential Qualities of a Professional Investigator... | Skills Appropriate for the Assignment
Law firms and medical offices specialize - Professional Investigators also specialize. Their casework and continuing education should also be in your specialized areas.
Experience and Knowledge
Professional Investigators strive to maintain and further these. All professions have requirements of continuing education. The CLI program requires extensive compliance with continuing education.
Responsible and Ethical Conduct
Every component of the investigation has evidentiary considerations. Professional Investigators hold themselves to a higher standard and leaves no question as to the admissibility of their evidence. Information without ethics is not evidence.
Effective Communication
Professional Investigators maintain communication with the attorney, client, witnesses, and other key persons in the investigation. Moreover, reports are the product of an organized investigation and should reflect the work product you expect.
Keyword - 'Professional'
Honesty, Integrity & Intelligence. These define Professional Investigators and gives you the confidence that your case is in competent and skilled hands.
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 | | Cash, Gage and Jacee |
In Closing...please exercise your right to vote.
| Halloween was another blast with our grandkids - Cash and Gage, and their cousin Jacee!
This newsletter is originally distributed on Election Day 2012. As supporters of our Constitution, we strongly encourage you to vote. The right to vote is not to be taken for granted, there remain many countries that do not have this right. When you walk in the voting booth, the most important thing is that it is your decision, your vote and your choice - no one can influence you.
It is a privilege and honor to hold such an important right and responsibility.
Respectfully - Dean and Karen
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Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC
 | | Dean and Karen Beers |
specializes in the Expert Consultations and Legal Investigations of Personal Injuries, Negligence and Death in Civil, Criminal and Probate litigation.
We can consult on any death or injury causation case from any location with the conveniences of modern technology. Call us today, we're glad to help!
We are the PRIDE of Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC - Professional Reliable Investigators Defining Excellence in every assignment.
Thank You. Please contact us with any questions or for additional information on these topics and our related services.
Sincerely,
Dean A. Beers, CLI, CCDI (beersda@Forensic-Investigators.com)
Karen S. Beers, BSW, CCDI (beersks@Forensic-Investigators.com)
Associates in Forensic Investigations, LLC
Office: (970) 480-7793 (Dean x1 and Karen x2) ~ Fax: (970) 480-7794 |
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Newsletter and Press Release Archives from July 2010
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Featured Articles
Dean and Karen have several articles published, some are available for reprint.
For details email:
Associates@Forensic-Investigators.com
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Find Us at:
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Dean is at:
Karen is at:
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Professional Associations
Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado (PPIAC)
National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI)
National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS)
World Association of Detectives (WAD) Criminal Defense Investigation Council (CDITC) National Defender Investigator Association (NDIA) Florida Association of Licensed Investigators (FALI) Texas Association of Licensed Investigators (TALI) National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) International Association for Identification (IAI) and (RMDIAI) (Rocky Mountain Division)National Association of Professional Women Mensa USA |
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